Basic Soil Productivity of Spring Maize in Black Soil Under Long-Term Fertilization Based on DSSAT Model

Increasing basic farmland soil productivity has significance in reducing fertilizer application and maintaining high yield of crops. In this study, we defined that the basic soil productivity （BSP） is the production capacity of a farmland soil with its own physical and chemical properties for a specific crop season under local environment and field management. Based on 22-yr （1990-2011） long-term experimental data on black soil （Typic hapludoll） in Gongzhuling, Jilin Province, Northeast China, the decision support system for an agro-technology transfer （DSSAT）-CERES-Maize model was applied to simulate the yield by BSP of spring maize （Zea mays L.） to examine the effects of long-term fertilization on changes of BSP and explore the mechanisms of BSP increasing. Five treatments were examined： （1） no-fertilization control （control）; （2） chemical nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium （NPK）; （3） NPK plus farmyard manure （NPKM）; （4） 1.5 time of NPKM （1.5NPKM） and （5） NPK plus straw （NPKS）. Results showed that after 22-yr fertilization, the yield by BSP of spring maize significantly increased 78.0, 101.2, and 69.4% under the NPKM, 1.5NPKM and NPKS, respectively, compared to the initial value （in 1992）, but not significant under NPK （26.9% increase） and the control （8.9% decrease）. The contribution percentage of BSP showed a significant rising trend （P〈0.05） under 1.5NPKM. The average contribution percentage of BSP among fertilizations ranged from 74.4 to 84.7%, and ranked as 1.5NPKM〉NPKM〉NPK〉NPKS, indicating that organic manure combined with chemical fertilizers （I.5NPKM and NPKM） could more effectively increase BSP compared with the inorganic fertilizer application alone （NPK） in the black soil. This study showed that soil organic matter （SOM） was the key factor among various fertility factors that could affect BSP in the black soil, and total N, total P and/or available P also played important role in BSP increasing. Compared with the chemical fertilization, a balanced chemical plus manure or straw fertilization （NPKM or NPKS） not only increased the concentrations of soil nutrient, but also improved the soil physical properties, and structure and diversity of soil microbial population, resulting in an iincrease of BSP. We recommend that a balanced chemical plus manure or straw fertilization （NPKM or NPKS） should be the fertilization practices to enhance spring maize yield and improve BSP in the black soil of Northeast China.

Study on the Method of Soil Productivity Assessment in Black Soil Region of Northeast China

The objective of this paper is to investigate a simple and practical method for soil productivity assessment in the black soil region of Northeast China. Firstly, eight kinds of physicochemical properties for each of 120 soil samples collected from 25 black soil profiles were analyzed using cluster and correlation analysis. Subsequently, parameter indices were calculated using physicochemical properties. Finally, a modified productivity index （MPI） model were developed and validated. The results showed that the suitable parameters for soil productivity assessment in black soil region of Northeast China were soil available water, soil pH, clay content, and organic matter content. Compared with original productivity index （PI） model, MPI model added clay content and organic matter content in parameters while omitted bulk density. Simulation results of original PI model and MPI model were compared using crop yield of land block where investigated soil profiles were located. MPI model was proven to perform better with a higher significant correlation with maize yield. The correlation equation between MPI and yield was： Y= 3.2002Ln（MP/）＋ 10.056, R^2 = 0.7564. The results showed that MPI model was an effective and practical method to assess soil productivity in the research area.

Long-term organic and inorganic fertilizations enhanced basic soil productivity in a fluvo-aquic soil

The improvement of soil productivity depends on a rational input of water and nutrients, optimal field management, and the increase of basic soil productivity（BSP）. In this study, BSP is defined as the productive capacity of a farmland soil with its own physical and chemical properties for a specific crop season under local field management. Based on 19-yr data of the long-term agronomic experiments（1989–2008） on a fluvo-aquic soil in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, the decision support system for agrotechnology transfer（DSSAT ver. 4.0） crop growth model was used to simulate yields by BSP of winter wheat（Triticum aestivium L.） and summer maize（Zea mays L.） to examine the relationship between BSP and soil organic carbon（SOC） under long-term fertilization. Five treatments were included：（1） no fertilization（control）,（2） nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers（NPK）,（3） NPK plus manure（NPKM）,（4） 1.5 times of NPKM（1.5NPKM）, and（5） NPK plus straw（NPKS）. After 19 yr of treatments, the SOC stock increased 16.7, 44.2, 69.9, and 25.2% under the NPK, NPKM, 1.5NPKM, and NPKS, respectively, compared to the initial value. Among various nutrient factors affecting contribution percentage of BSP to winter wheat and summer maize, SOC was a major affecting factor for BSP in the fluvo-aquic soil. There were significant positive correlations between SOC stock and yields by BSP of winter wheat and summer maize（P〈0.01）, and yields by BSP of winter wheat and summer maize increased 154 and 132 kg ha^（–1） when SOC stock increased 1 t C ha^（–1）. Thus, increased SOC accumulation is a crucial way for increasing BSP in fluvo-aquic soil. The manure or straw combined application with chemical fertilizers significantly enhanced BSP compared to the application of chemical fertilizers alone.

Variability of Soil Moisture and Its Relationship with Surface Albedo and Soil Thermal Parameters over the Loess Plateau

Data from July 2006 to June 2008 observed at SACOL （Semi-Arid Climate and Environment Observatory of Lanzhou University, 35.946°N, 104.137°E, elev. 1961 m）, a semi-arid site in Northwest China, are used to study seasonal variability of soil moisture, along with surface albedo and other soil thermal parameters, such as heat capacity, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity, and their relationships to soil moisture content. The results indicate that surface albedo decreases with increases in soil moisture content, showing a typical exponential relation between the surface albedo and the soil moisture. The heat capacity, the soil thermal diffusivity, and soil thermal conductivity show large variations between Julian day 90-212 and 450-578. The soil thermal conductivity is found to increase as a power function of soil moisture. Soil heat capacity and soil thermal diffusivity increase with increases in soil moisture. The SACOL observed soil moisture are also used to validate the AMSR-E/AQUA retrieved soil moisture and there is good agreement between them. The analysis of the relationship between satellite retrieved soil moisture and precipitation suggests that the variability of soil moisture depends on the variation of precipitation over the Loess Plateau.

Changes in Organic Carbon and Nutrient Contents of Highly Productive Paddy Soils in Yujiang County of Jiangxi Province,China and Their Environmental Application

Paddy field is an important land use in subtropical China. Development of high soil fertility and productivity is the management goal of paddy field, Fertilization and management practices have not only influenced the status of organic matter and nutrients in the soil but also affected the environmental quality. This article investigates the contents of organic carbon and the nutrients, and the change over the last 20 years in highly productive paddy soils and their environmental application. Field soils were sampled and the analytical results were compared with the corresponding values in the Second Soil Survey in Yujiang County of Jiangxi Province, China. The results showed that surface soils at a depth of 0-10 cm in highly productive paddy fields in Yujiang County of Jiangxi Province had contents of organic carbon （20.2 ±3.88） g kg^-1, total nitrogen （2.09±0.55） g kg^-1, and available phosphorus （42.7 ±32.7） mg kg^-1, respectively, which were all at very rich levels. Over the last 20 years, the organic carbon pool of the highly productive paddy soils reached a steady state. Total N and available P significantly increased, whereas available K changed a little. The amount and percentage of P immobilization in the surface soil （0-10 cm） of highly productive paddy fields were （142.7 ~ 41.1） mg kg-~ and （36.2~ 10.4）% of added P, and CEC （7.93 ~ 1.32） cmol kg-~. These two parameters were not higher than the mean values of paddy soils and upland red soils in the areas. Results also showed that fertilizer P in highly productive paddy soils had a high mobility and was prone to move toward a water body, which is the main source of nutrients causing eutrophication. Because of a weak K-fixing capacity, the available K content was not high in highly productive paddy soils. This suggests that attention should be paid to the K balance and the increase of soil K pool.

An evaluation of soil moisture from AMSR-E over source area of the Yellow River, China

In this study,in-situ soil moisture measurements are used to evaluate the accuracy of three AMSR-E soil moisture prod ucts from NASA(National Aeronautics and Space Administration),JAXA(Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency)and VUA(Vrije University Amsterdam and NASA)over Maqu County,Source Area of the Yellow River(SAYR),China.Re sults show that the VUA soil moisture product performs the best among the three AMSR-E soil moisture products in the study area,with a minimum RMSE(root mean square error)of 0.08(0.10)m3/m3 and smallest absolute error of 0.07(0.08)m3/m3 at the grassland area with ascending(descending)data.Therefore,the VUA soil moisture product is used to describe the spatial variation of soil moisture during the 2010 growing season over SAYR.The VUA soil moisture product shows that soil moisture presents a declining trend from east south(0.42 m3/m3)to west north(0.23 m3/m3),with good agreement with a general precipitation distribution.The center of SAYR presents extreme wetness(0.60 m3/m3)dur ing the whole study period,especially in July,while the head of SAYR presents a high level soil moisture(0.23 m3/m3)in July,August and September.

Multiple cropping and soil fertility in sustainable production of paddy fields

Multiple cropping has been popularized on morethan two thirds of the total area of paddy fields inSouth China.It demands more nutrients due tohigher cropping index.Therefore,how to keepmoderately higher yields of multiple crops and to

Drainage of paddy terraces impacts structures and soil properties in the globally important agricultural heritage of Hani Paddy Terraces,China

Marginalization and abandonment of paddy terraces are widespread,but their effects on the sustainability of subsequent agricultural production are still unknown.Hani Paddy Terraces,included in Globally Important Agriculture Heritage Systems,are threatened by paddy fields drainage.Here,changes in terrace structure,the productivity of topsoil(0-20 cm),and soil water holding capacity at 0-70 cm depth were determined in a case study of Hani Paddy Terraces in Amengkong River Basin in Yuanyang County in Southwestern China,which had been converted into dryland terraces for 2-14 years.Our results showed that:(1)The degree of terrace structures degradation exhibited a U-shaped curve with increasing time since draining,with those drained for 5-9 years having the best structure;(2)Soil productivity index decreased first and then increased with time after conversion;(3)Maximum water holding capacity at 0-70 cm soil depth dramatically decreased after conversion and such trend became increasingly obvious with increasing time since conversion.Our study revealed that drainage of paddy terraces along with associated changes in crop and field management led to an increase in soil productivity,but degradation of terrace structures and a decrease in water holding capacity will inhibit restoration to paddy terraces.These findings enhance the understanding of the biophysical changes due to marginalization in paddy terraces.

Experiences and Research Perspectives on Sustainable Development of Rice-Wheat Cropping Systems in the Chengdu Plain, China

The rice and wheat cropping pattern is one of the main cropping systems in the world. A large number of research results showed that successive cropping of rice and wheat resulted in a series of problems such as hindering nutrition absorption, gradual degeneration of soil fertility, decline of soil organic matter, and increased incidence of diseases and pests. In China, especially in the Chengdu plain where rice-wheat cropping system is practiced, productivity and soil fertility was enhanced and sustained. This paper reviews the relevant data and experiences on rice-wheat cropping in the Chengdu Plain from 1977 to 2006. The principal sustainable strategies used for rice-wheat cropping systems in Chengdu Plain included： 1） creating a favorable environment and viable rotations; 2） balanced fertilization for maintenance of sustainable soil productivity; 3） improvement of crop management for higher efficiency; and 4） use the newest cultivars and cultivation techniques to upgrade the production level. Future research is also discussed in the paper as： 1） the constant topic： a highly productive and efficient rice-wheat cropping system for sustainable growth; 2） the future trend： simplified cultivation techniques for the rice-wheat cropping system; 3） the foundation： basic research for continuous innovation needed for intensive cropping. It is concluded that in the rice-wheat cropping system, a scientific and reasonable tillage/cultivation method can not only avoid the degradation of soil productivity, but also maintain sustainable growth in the long run.

Comparative effects of nitrogen application on growth and nitrogen use in a winter wheat/summer maize rotation system

The application of fertilizer in agricultural production has become universally common for achieving high crop yields and economic benefits, but it has potential impacts on food safety, energy crisis and environmental pollution. Optimal management of fertilization is thus necessary for maintaining sustainable agriculture. Two-year（2013–2015） field experiment was conducted, in Yangling（108°24′E, 34°20′N, and 521 m a.s.l.）, Shaanxi Province, China, to explore the effects of different nitrogen（N） applications on biomass accumulation, crop N uptake, nitrate N（NO_3~–-N） distribution, yield, and N use with a winter wheat/summer maize rotation system. The N applications consisted of conventional urea（U）（at 80（U80）, 160（U160）, and 240（U240） kg N ha^（–1）; 40% applied as a basal fertilizer and 60% top-dressed at jointing stage） and controlled-release urea（CRU）（at 60（C60）, 120（C120）, 180（C180）, and 240（C240） kg N ha~（^（–1））; all applied as a basal fertilizer） with no N application as a control（CK）. The continuous release of N from CRU matched well with the N demands of crop throughout entire growing stages. Soil NO_3~–-N content varied less and peaked shallower in CRU than that in urea treatments. The differences, however, were smaller in winter wheat than that in summer maize seasons. The average yield of summer maize was the highest in C120 in CRU treatments and in U160 in urea treatments, and apparent N use efficiency（NUE） and N agronomic efficiency（NAE） were higher in C120 than in U160 by averages of 22.67 and 41.91%, respectively. The average yield of winter wheat was the highest in C180 in CRU treatments and in U240 in urea treatments with C180 increasing NUE and NAE by averages of 14.89 and 35.62% over U240, respectively. The annual yields under the two N fertilizers were the highest in C120 and U160. The results suggested that CRU as a basal fertilizer once could be a promising alternative of urea as split application in semiarid areas.

Termites Improve the Horizontal Movement of Carbonized Particles:A Step towards Sustainable Utilization of Biochar

Soil amendments containing carbonized materials increase the soil carbon reservoir,influence plant productivity,and,ultimately,help to clean the environment.There is data on the effect of such additions on soil physicochemical properties or plant growth,but few studies have focused on how these carbonized materials are distributed by termite species in the soil ecosystem.It is the first comprehensive study of the transportation of biochar(BC)by termite species under tropical environmental conditions in Pakistan.The present study was carried out to test the hypothesis that if termite species I)were involved in the distribution of biochar particles II)if yes,then how far these particles were transported during the study period(10 days)and III)check their preference between the enriched BC(EBC)and non-enriched BC.BC was enriched with the cattle slurry after its pyrolysis in the study.The results showed that EBC particles were significantly more widely distributed than non-enriched BC particles,but both types of BC were transported more than 4 cm(ring 4)within 10 days(at the end of the experiment).The current study also revealed that EBC was easily attached to the setae,cuticle,and legs of termites,implying that it could potentially be transported over a greater distance.Furthermore,transportation of EBC over larger distances indicated a potential preference of termite species between the EBC and BC particles.During the study,however,the preference among the termite species was also observed.Under the prevailing study conditions,the Coptotermes heimi and Heteroterme indicola species transported the EBC further than Microtermes obesi and Odontotermes obesus.These findings revealed that transportation preferences were observed among the four termite species.In conclusion,the current study found that termites were involved in the distribution of BC particles,with a preference for EBC and that these have the potential to transport BC particles more than 4 cm within 10 days.Furthermore,two species Coptotermes heimi and Heteroterme indicola may be more suitable candidates for EBC transpiration in Pakistani soils.It was necessary to conduct additional research into the effect of temperature on the transportation process.

Hand-feel soil texture observations to evaluate the accuracy of digital soil maps for local prediction of soil particle size distribution:A case study in Central France

Digital maps of soil properties are now widely available.End-users now can access several digital soil mapping(DSM)products of soil properties,produced using different models,calibration/training data,and covariates at various spatial scales from global to local.Therefore,there is an urgent need to provide easy-to-understand tools to communicate map uncertainty and help end-users assess the reliability of DSM products for use at local scales.In this study,we used a large amount of hand-feel soil texture(HFST)data to assess the performance of various published DSM products on the prediction of soil particle size distribution in Central France.We tested four DSM products for soil texture prediction developed at various scales(global,continental,national,and regional)by comparing their predictions with approximately 3200 HFST observations realized on a 1:50000 soil survey conducted after release of these DSM products.We used both visual comparisons and quantitative indicators to match the DSM predictions and HFST observations.The comparison between the low-cost HFST observations and DSM predictions clearly showed the applicability of various DSM products,with the prediction accuracy increasing from global to regional predictions.This simple evaluation can determine which products can be used at the local scale and if more accurate DSM products are required.

Continental-scale assessment of provisioning soil functions in Europe

Introduction:A framework is developed to link major soil functions to ecosystem services assessment.Provisioning soil functions—with primary linkages to ecosystem services—are evaluated on a continental scale in Europe.Methods:We defined major provisioning soil functions combining the approaches proposed by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection of the European Union.Soil productivity was evaluated by three main land use types(cropland,grassland,forest)using a validated expert model called SoilProd.Models include soil,climate and topographic criteria.Raw material provision capacity of soils was assessed on the basis of(i)organic carbon content and(ii)availability of soil materials for construction.Results:A coherent system of soil function-based ecosystem services was compiled,taking into account major soil functions.We also produced new data on soil-based provisioning ecosystem services,including productivity and raw material availability.The attempts to cover the main human activities requiring materials of soil origin and to map the locations where those materials are available on a continental scale provide new insight to this field of research.Conclusions:Soil-based ecosystem services can be assessed by the evaluation of soil functions which play a role in the production of these services.Quantitative analysis and comparison of the spatial distribution of the investigated soil functions were performed.While crop productivity showed a general trend to increase in a northward and westward direction,local soil quality in most regions—except in the Mediterranean—can compensate for climatic handicaps to a great extent.Comparison of areas with potential for providing ecosystem services by individual soil functions highlights the complexity of decision-making for resource utilization but also the possibilities for optimization and more conscious management.

Crevice Corrosion of K60 in Dry Desertification Saline Soil

Corrosion products of K60crevice samples which were buried in Ordos area were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction.The result showed that,the corrosion potential decreased differently in the crevice and a maximum negative existed at the bottom side;with pH value reduced,the dissolved oxygen was nearly exhausted in the crevice.When the opening side of the coupons was coupled with each other,the crevice corrosion in the crevice might be accelerated and the pH value gradually reduced;however,the oxygen was not completely exhausted.The unbalanced current density between anode and cathode was the main cause of blocked self-catalysis effect in the crevice,and was also the main cause of corrosion of alloys.Lumpy corrosion happened on the surface of metal,and rusty layer was composed of Fe3O4,Fe2O3,FeO,FeOOH and FeS which distributed in the opening of crevice.There were the reddish-brown corrosion products and white matter which distributed in the form of filiform and spotted in the center part of crevice.The analysis showed that the white matter might include oxide of Fe and NaHCO3.

How profitable is switchgrass in Illinois, USA? An economic definition of marginal land

Background:Decisions regarding the conversion of land from an existing crop to bioenergy crops are critical for the sustainable production of both food and fuels.This study seeks to establish criteria for delineating land as“economically marginal”,and thus suited for growing switchgrass.Methods:In this case study of an Illinois agricultural field,the profitability of switchgrass,with farmgate prices of$44 Mg−1,$66 Mg−1,or$88 Mg−1,was compared to corn and soybean crop prices.Further,the study also evaluates the profitability of switchgrass when replacing corn‐based yield estimates from the Soil Productivity Index(SPI)of Illinois.Results:Based on a dry‐matter yield of 10.45 Mg ha−1,switchgrass can compete with soybeans only at the high price of$88 Mg−1,but depending on location,can compete with corn at$66 Mg−1.Across Illinois,at$88 ha−1,all Illinois land with SPI<100%and 95%of land under SPI class C(SPI 100–116)is profitable under switchgrass.Switchgrass may not be profitable relative to corn grown in the SPI class A(SPI>133)and only 7%of class B(SPI 117–132).Conclusions:Our results show that land with drainage and erosion limitations is economically marginal when corn and soybean yields are low,and the farmgate price for switchgrass is greater than$66 Mg−1.However,this may not be possible on land where switchgrass is replacing frequent soybean rotations(corn–soybean ratio≤1).Land used to produce only soybeans may only be marginal at the farmgate price of$88 Mg−1.Further studies need to be conducted to identify how much land can be converted to switchgrass without harming corn production.

Cadmium in soybeans and the relevance to human exposure

Introduction Cadmium is considered a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer（IARC,1993）and the US National Toxicology Program（NTP,1997）.Cadmium contamination of food crops is a persistent issue for both the agricultural industry as well as consumers.This is an issue for agriculture because cadmium can be present in soils naturally or as a result of industrial processes and can contaminate foods that are consumed by humans.Industrial